Indians’ woes continue in loss to Yankees

Indians batter Jack Hannahan hits a ground out to Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, as catcher Russell Martin watches, to end the game in Cleveland on Friday. ASSOCIATED PRESS Enlarge

CLEVELAND — CC Sabathia came off the disabled list and went into the eighth inning and Nick Swisher hit a two-run homer to help the New York Yankees snap a three-game losing streak by beating the Cleveland Indians 3-1 on Friday night.

Cleveland lost its ninth straight as ex-Indian Sabathia (13-3) worked 71/3 strong innings. The left-hander had a perfect game until Asdrubal Cabrera homered with one out in the fourth.

Derek Jeter was beaned by Indians starter Corey Kluber, but stayed in the game. Jeter had two hits and scored twice.

Swisher broke a 1-1 tie with his 19th homer, off Cody Allen (0-1) in the seventh.

Rafael Soriano loaded the bases in the ninth, but got his 32nd save in 34 chances.

Cleveland put runners on second and third with no outs against Soriano. Matt LaPorta struck out and pinch-hitter Ezequiel Carrera popped out to short. Soriano went to 3-0 on pinch-hitter Casey Kotchman before giving him an intentional walk to load the bases.

Pinch-hitter Jack Hannahan then grounded out to first as Cleveland continued its freefall fade. The Indians have been outscored 175-86 in losing 22 of their last 26.

Sabathia struck out nine in his first start since pitching 62/3 innings to defeat Detroit on Aug. 8. He then went on the disabled list with inflammation in his left shoulder, but showed no rustiness against the Indians, who dropped to 10-30 since the All-Star break.

Jeter helped him with a couple of fine plays at shortstop in the second after the Yankees got quite a scare when their captain was hit in the left side of the head in the top half of the inning.

The force of the impact knocked Jeter’s helmet off and staggered the 38-year-old as a large contingent of Yankees fans went from chanting, “Der-ek Je-ter” to eliciting a shocking groan.

Jeter was visibly upset as he went to first base.

Moments later, he went deep into the hole at short to field a grounder by Carlos Santana and throw him out. With two outs, Jeter ranged all the way into short left field to grab a grounder by LaPorta. He got that out too when first baseman Mark Teixeira scooped his low throw.

New York loaded the bases in the first two innings, but scored only one run.